even more respect

I am seriously geeking out over here.

This is going to make it very clear how much of a nerd I am, but here:

 Violin AND The Legend of Zelda? Plus the video was pretty much awesome.

I cannot express the amount of respect I have for Lindsey Stirling at this moment.

Mind blown.

So awesome.

Also, while I'm talking about having my mind blown -

Haven't seen them with each other since 500 Days of Summer. 

From the caption on Youtube, I gather that they're pretty good friends!

After Zooey and Ben Gibbard get divorced (it still pains me to talk about that!), maybe she can marry Joe. Except that I want to marry him. 

I guess she can have him, but only because I know that they'd have beautiful children with voices like larks. :)

sometimes soul shows

When I was little, I desperately wanted to play the violin.

SO very badly.

My mother said that I needed to start with the piano first - so that I could read sheet music, and understand the theory behind it.

5-year-old Kira thought that was dumb.

I took piano lessons, and you know what? At first I hated them.

It took a few years, but I grew to absolutely love the piano.

I waited rather impatiently for 5th grade, when I'd get to play the violin in school.

Well, it finally rolled around, and I started to play. My parents even bought me a lower-end violin to practice and learn on. And you know what? After three years, I was a whiny little monkey and I quit, because I didn't sound like a professional yet. How dumb is that? Ooh! New bucket list item - 

76. Re-learn/get better (much) at playing the violin

Anyway, that brings me to the real reason for this post.

Meet Lindsay Stirling.

It is people like her that make me remember why I wanted to play in the first place - I wanted to be able to make music like this.

Maybe someday I'll be able to! For now, I'll stick to jamming on the piano, singing my lungs out, and pretending that I can play guitar. :)

I know that Christmas is over, but always a good time to celebrate Christ's birth, so here -

She is incredible, right? Super inspiring, too. Check out her story here.

While you're there, check out her blog, too! It's grand!

worst

Have you ever made a horrible mistake?
I have. Several.
Usually I learn something from them, so while I'd never do them again, I don't necessarily regret them.
I don't believe in do-overs, after all.
But this week I did something horrible.

I missed my best friend's birthday.
I feel so horrible.
She lives on the other side of the country.
I haven't seen her since August and probably won't for a good long time still.
And I didn't call.
Didn't even send her a text.
A dumb Facebook post would've been better than this.

I am officially the worst best friend ever.
Don't follow in my footsteps, lovely people. You will hate yourself.

marvelous {Christmas}

Well I hope that everyone had a super amazing fantastic marvelous Christmas!

I did! Full of family and Christ and happiness! And food... So much food...

Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and here is the marvelous:

Things I love:

-Jesus Christ

-Mary, for being probably the bravest and most amazing woman ever!

-Joseph, for being possibly the most fabulous husband in all history. Wow.

-The Shepherds, for spreading the word and for coming to worship baby Jesus. I am sure that Mary was grateful that He did not have to come into the world completely alone!

-The wise men, though they came later. They recognized a toddler as the future redeemer of the world. That would be so difficult... "Wise men sought Him, so should we."

-The smell of pine

-The DI right after Christmas (and any other time, but it was like... Ahhhhh!)

-Comfy shoes

-$2 cowboy boots. I am serious.

-Colorful cell phone cases

-My family

-Babies laughing

-Babies in general - they're kinda adorable.

-Cozy blankets

-Soft clothing

-Good deals

-Watching peoples' faces as they open presents

-Sleeping

-Getting a raise

-Looking awesome

-Sweatshirts

-Watching good movies that I have not previously seen

-Laughing at myself when I cry in Disney/Dreamworks/etc. animated movies

-Silver

-Christmas colors

-Getting things that I need from other people so I don't have to buy them

-Being spoiled (but only on occasion so I'm not a brat.)

-Charlie Brown

-The Wii

-Netflix

-Candycane Hershey's Kisses

-Delicious food

-People who care about other people

-The Christmas Spirit. It is real, folks. I will miss it a lot...

-Love

-Laughter

-Life

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. :)

bittersweet

Today is the LDS mission farewell for my dear friend Andrew, who will be the first of my close man-friends from high school to leave.

It is also the homecoming of two older close man-friends, Sean and Ryan.

I am beyond excited to the two that I haven't seen for two years, but man... It's weird to think Andrew will be leaving. 

After him, more man-friends will start leaving in rapid succession.
Jake.
Parker.
Tad.
Walker.
Nathan.

...Spencer.

Best man-friend got his call last Wednesday.

Peru Arequipa Mission.

Reports to the MTC May 2nd.

Me?

Beyond excited for him.

He'll be a fantastic missionary.

He'll selflessly serve the Lord for two years.

Two years.

Two years, during which:

I will not receive calls at 3 in the morning.

I cannot text him to tell him about my day.

Snail mail advice will occur.

He swears I will get married.

I swear I'll stay unmarried, but if I get proposed to, I will politely explain the bet. Ha.

No listening to him play guitar in his car at midnight.

No surprise visits.

No singing hymns in the middle of the street (in the middle of the night).

No crying on his shoulder (figuratively or literally).

Two years, during which I will miss my best friend.

BUT.

All selfishness aside -

I am willing to share him with Arequipa.

The Lord needs him there.

As much as I hate to say it - 

Peru needs him more than I need him.

So?

I'll get lots of 

Stationery

Envelopes

Stamps

and

Patience.

And before I know it, the two years will be over.

relax.

So I had a rather stressful Saturday. 

We won't go into why, but we will go into how I came to feel better. :)

My friend Tyler recommended The National and Massive Attack to me.

Weeeell... Holy relaxing music, Batman.

Take a listen.

Ahhhh....

Feel relaxed yet?

yesss another

I have more music for you. :) Yay!

Sooo I just rediscovered Fleet Foxes today. As in... I accidentally stumbled on them on Spotify and was like, When did I stop listening to Fleet Foxes?!

And whyyyy?

Anyway. All is okay now because I am listening to them as I type here.

Enjoy! :)

today is awesome.

Piano proficiency finished.

Still in dumb mood, but less so.

Listen to this song and love it. :)

some bucket list

41. Become a therapist (on my way! :) )
42. Shop on Black Friday
43. Kiss someone at midnight on New Year's Day
44. Change someone's life
45. Witness a wedding proposal
46. Ride an elephant
47. Get my picture taken in front of the Hollywood sign
48. Jump in a pool in regular clothes
49. Live near a beach
50. Ice skate at the Rockefeller Center or in Central Park
51. Visit the Mall of America
52. Learn how to play the cello
53. Learn how to play the banjo
54. Visit all 50 states
55. Learn to surf
56. Get kissed underneath a waterfall
57. Go scuba diving
58. Go to London
59. Not be single on Valentine's Day
60. Drive Route 66
61. Have a walk-in closet
62. Swim with dolphins/a whale
63. Propose to a stranger with a ring pop
64. Go on a spontaneous vacation
65. Write a song
66. Kiss under mistletoe
67. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
68. Visit Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts)
69. Jump off a waterfall
70. Attach a lock to a love bridge in Europe
71. Spend a Christmas in New York City
72. See the Northern Lights
73. Send a message in a bottle
74. Start posting outfits
75. Get a 4.0 GPA (cumulative or not)

where am i?

I am in the dumbest mood today.

I care a significant amount less about everything than I should. 

Like my piano proficiency in the morning? 

Eh. I'll practice for it. I just don't care.

I especially don't care about all the people around me in relationships.

...But, for some dumb reason unbeknownst to me, the thing I do care about today is that I am not one of those people.

Honestly? Doesn't usually bother me. I'm not in any hurry to get married (at all), I am perfectly content being single, and I dislike that relationships bring drama. These are all true things.

For some reason... I just want one. I don't need one, but I want one.

It would just be nice, I guess.

On Saturday I went to Temple Square with some of my friends. One of them commented on how she wanted someone to be in love with because everyone at Temple Square is in love. We decided we could just all be in love.

I started to think about what she had said. I've been to Temple Square almost every year of my life, but I'd never noticed the couples before. I decided that I would pay closer attention this time.

...It's true. The couples are everywhere. They all look so happy.

My friend, the one who wanted to be in love, asked if I'd heard this song by the Weepies. I hadn't, but I looked it up, and I love it.

I don't think I necessarily think it completely describes my situation, because I don't even have anyone I'm super interested in, and I really don't mind being alone...

I tried to find a song that explains how I feel, but there really isn't one. I am so happy with life right now. I love being single, but I'd like to share my happiness with someone, I guess.

Pff. Anyway.

In the end this is all that matters to me:

Gotta love Priscilla. She speaks my thoughts.

marvelous monday [finals week edition!]

Oh my goodness. Talk about a cah-razy morning.

First final ever? Check.

Studied for hours last night, and fell asleep doing so? Check.

Woke up 50 minutes after final started? Check.

Finished final in less than an hour, like a boss? Check.

I am feeling pretty darn cool right about now.

Anyway, great morning over all...

Here are some happy things. :)

Things I loooove:

-Feeling good about tests

-Only having two finals!

-Music Therapy. My major is the bomb diggity, guys.

-Temple Square! Again! With friends!

 

 -The Christmas atmosphere... Seriously y'all. Sounds cheesy, but think about it! Makes sense!

-Orange Juice. Helps me to stave off this dumb cold that's trying to eat me. I will resist!

-UO sales... Except then I buy things... And want to buy more things... C'est la vie.

-Whoever it is that writes the text on Target's website. For serious.

-The D.I. My lovely friend Minden and I discussed it several times this weekend... I seriously could live there.

-Barnes and Noble. Also could live there.

-This book, found at Barnes and Noble. It's HILARIOUS. :)

-Seeing people I know in Salt Lake. Everywhere. Gateway, Temple Square; seriously everywhere we went.

-Running, especially when you catch that second wind and feel like you could just go forever. :)

-Endorphins! They make me feel awesome!

-Shoe circles! They will never get old. Never!

Christmas music gets its own section:
-"Last Christmas" by Wham has always been one of my favorites... Not sure why. Haha.
-"The 12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser

-"Christmas Lights" by Coldplay!

-A Very She & Him Christmas!

-Sufjan Stevens' Christmas Album!

-Meeting new people! I definitely met Madison and Lauren of Awkward Girls at Urban Outfitters. They were super nice, and styin' as always! Check out their blog here.

Well goodness, the semester went really fast!

Friday final and then I get to go home... 

Wahoo!

Over and out.

marvelous {pinterest edition}

Sooo I'm fairly sure that most of you have heard of Pinterest by now. It is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Anyway, as I did not get a whole lot of pictures taken over the last few weeks, there will be some photos collected from Pinterest in this post. It's a lovely place, check it out if you haven't! :)

Also, I am officially changing Marvelous Mondays. No longer are they only going to be about what I loved that day, or that week, or that month. Now they will simply be things that I love. Enjoy!

Things I love:

-The Salt Lake Temple

...especially at Christmastime. :)

-This place!

via

-College... I am hoping that the last one worked for me this semester!

via

-Puns!

via

-Thinking about the future

via

-Food/great ideas!

via

-Buttons! They're just so cute. :)

via

-Dresses. And modesty! It's hottest, you know.

via

-Wit.

via

-Love.

via

-My God and His son, my Savior, Jesus Christ

via

I shall post more as I find more. :)

Merry first full week of December to ye!

savior

And that is all. :)

Til later!

Marvelous Monday X Thanksgiving = yay!

It's a Monday!

It was a pretty good day - Maybe this Marvelous Monday deal is actually working? ;)

Anyhow, as it's Thanksgiving, I'm going to make this a little broader than just today!

Things that I love about life:

-My family

Disclaimer: This picture was taken in 2008. It is the most recent picture of all of us, but none of us look like that anymore. :)

-My beliefs

-This book

-Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior

-Temples

-My roommates and friends

This was actually a bucket list item... Done! :)

This was Turban Thursday! No racism intended. 

-It's so materialistic of me, but my cell phone.

-...And my netbook.

-Snow! And rain and sun and kinda most everything. Except wind.

 

-School! As much as I complain... I love it.

-Music. Really, couldn't survive without it...

-Food! 'Specially grateful for momma's cooking now that I don't get it very often...

-Utah State University. :)

-Breaks from school, as much as I love it.

-Technology! Seriously. Electric blanket... Digital music... The internet... Yeah. So much.

-Clothing. Number one, it keeps me warm and covered. Number two, it's so fun. :)

-Aggie Basketball! Actually just Aggie sports in general, but here are some pictures of basketball. :) 

-My major. Music therapy is so incredible, and I'm so excited to help people through it!

-Running water and electricity. 'Nuff said.

-Forgiveness, mercy, and understanding.

-Wintertime! Icicles... Snowy trees... Visible breath...Warm clothes... Love it. :) 

There are plenty of other things, but there are some for ya!

I'm going home tomorrow, which will be fun. :) Hoping to see this over the weekend:

For anyone who doesn't live in Utah, this is Temple Square, and they put up gorgeous Christmas lights every year. :)

I'll post some pictures if I do, and if not I'll just post pictures of other things. :)

i'd just want your heart

Hahaha. It's cute, in a weird, creepy, hilarious sort of way. :)

That's all.

Peace out. :)

Tubular Tuesday?

Well. It's been a while.
I should be better at the MONDAY part of Marvelous Mondays. Haha. :)
Anyhow, here we go:

Things that I loved about today the last 2 weeks:

-As of the 3rd of this month, I am now an official adult!

-No more of that "parental permission even though you're in college" business!

-Finding the "Inception" soundtrack on Spotify. Ahhhh beauty.

Here's "Dream is Collapsing" for you. :)

-My super-pro Facebook stalking skills. Like... You have no idea how pro.

-I wrote letters to two missionaries! :) Just need to send 'em.

-I know this is old hat, but my Halloween costume!

Daniel - Skid Row, Me - Curiosity Killed the Cat, and Eric - Captain America
-Running alone and exploring Logan :)
-Roommates making dinner for the whole apartment!
-New music! Please give me suggestions - I LOOOOVE new music!
-Our pumpkins. Also a while ago, but I had to share because I love them! 

 Megan's!

 Mine!
-Laughing so hard that my sides ache. :)
-Being able to register for my classes before pretty much anyone and getting all the classes I wanted! Even though Honors is almost inherently evil, it does have pros.
-I get to do legit research on risk factors in eating disorders! So neat!
-Planking jokes, especially this one.

-My US Institutions class... I never thought I'd say that, but I enjoy it.

-A ridiculously cute boy in said class. :)
-Feeling "in shape"
 -First snow of the year in Logan!!!!!
 

-Running way longer than I planned and finding out I did five miles instead of two!

-Not having a cold anymore after getting two in a three-week period.

-Healthy food! Weird, right?

 -Google Chrome has the ability to "obliterate" browsing data from the beginning of time. ;)

-The people that live in my building. :)
-Group scripture study in the basement. Every night. I have the coolest friends ever!
-Underwear, especially when other clothes are missing. *Shudder*
-Pullin' a Julian Smith and trying hot koolaid! I quite like it!

 
 
-Making Josh and Daniel sparkle like horrible Stephanie-Meyerian vampires. It was preeeeetty hot.
-Flirting. 'Nuff said, hm?
-Nicknames

 -Visiting the fam!

And last, but not least,
-HUNGER GAMES TRAILERRR

That is all.

awkward and awesome time

 

Thrifted Sweater and Flats, Blue skinny jeans - Ross, Sunglasses - F21 

As I have had minimal motivation to do anything this week, including make a list of happy things when I just wanted to be the angsty teenager that I'm supposed to be, Marvelous Monday did not happen.

HOWEVER, there is a way to fix this situation.

At The Daybook, the lovely Sydney does Awkward and Awesome Thursdays every week.

Seeing as this week involved plenty of awkward, but also lots of awesome, I decided it would be a good week to try it out for myself. :)

Awkward:

-That moment when the girl you and your roommates have been laughing at as you watch her wave her arms around in her living room from your own living room sees you. And then decides that, after hiding behind the wall because she's embarrassed, she'll pretend to flash you. Twice.

-The zipper on my lovely electric blue skinnies that just doesn't understand what "stay up" means.

-The hazelnut that my neighbor boy managed to accidentally bounce off of my hand and down my shirt.

-Walking out of my friends' residence hall and realizing that my bike was not longer where I had left it.

-Eating delicious Salvadorian food on an empty stomach. Then being doubled over in pain for a few hours.

-Having a cold. Just kind of in general.

-Forgetting my laptop charger when I went to the library with my roommate, Lauren, rendering me unable to finish my essay at the library, after walking there. Oops.

-The whiff of manure that one can smell at pretty much any point on campus when the wind blows just right.

-Irrational-woman syndrome. 'Nuff said.

-Playing Super Smash Brothers after years and years against boys who play regularly

Awesome:

-Finishing Music Theory homework a week early!

-"Educational" videos from the fifties that promoted conformity and made me laugh myself to sleep when I was taken down by the nasty cold monster over the weekend.

-Coldplay's new album, "Mylo Xyloto," that came out this week (I pre-ordered over a month ago), which I've been listening to on repeat, almost non-stop.

-Napping in-between classes.

-The nights when roommates make dinner for the whole apartment and it's amazing.

-Free food, and discovering that there are hazelnuts that grow on campus.

-Haunted houses, and boys who put their arm around you at such places.

-Having a cold room at night so that I can snuggle up in my blankets and sleep all cozy and warm.

-Remembering that I really wanted to write poetry. At a time that I actually had time to write some.

-Getting the best email ever from my best friend ever, and feeling on top of the world because she listed things that were awesome about me. Be jealous - she's my best friend.

I feel like that was rather satisfying. Look forward to another occurrence of this sort if I miss another Marvelous Monday!